Childminder in Stockton-on-Tees

Overall effectiveness Good

The quality of education Good Behaviour and attitudes Good Personal development Good Leadership and management Good Overall effectiveness at previous inspection Inadequate

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The provision is good

Children form strong bonds with this nurturing childminder and her staff. The childminder is highly attentive to children's needs, such as recognising when they need a sleep, or to run around outside. She follows parents' routines, where appropriate, to support children to feel settled and secure. Children benefit from plenty of praise and encouragement. This gives them confidence to try new activities, or to taste different foods. Children behave extremely well. The childminder and her staff gently remind children about taking turns. They also encourage children to be kind and polite.

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The provision is good

The childminder has identified what she wants children to learn during the time they spend with her. She plans stimulating activities which recognise individual children's ages and stages of development. For example, she uses a projector to create colourful images to support younger children to focus and point to different objects. Toddlers start to identify colours and shapes. Older children can develop their mark making skills by tracing the images onto large sheets of paper. There are also plenty of opportunities for children to learn about the world around them. They visit local shops to buy materials to use in their play. At a local nature reserve, they use binoculars to spot different birds. They also visit local parks and soft play centres to develop and practise different physical skills, such as climbing, balancing, and jumping.

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need to do better?

n The childminder has worked hard to develop her practice since her last inspection. She has welcomed support and advice from her local authority and accessed a wealth of training opportunities. Her policies and procedures fully promote children's safety and welfare. Records are meticulously maintained. Staffing arrangements ensure the needs of all children are met. n The childminder gets to know children in her care extremely well. She uses her accurate assessments of children's development to identify their next steps in learning. These are shared effectively with staff and with parents, so they all recognise how to support children's progress consistently. There are regular opportunities for children to have dedicated time with the childminder so she can focus on their individual needs. n Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive effective support. The childminder is vigilant in identifying children who may need

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need to do better?

additional support. She works closely with parents to consider how best to support their children's development. She is highly persistent in ensuring that other professionals, such as health visitors, are aware of any concerns she may have. n The learning environment is bright and stimulating. The playroom is organised to

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need to do better?

7 November 2024 support children to make independent choices about their play. Children are clearly very confident as they explore the different resources available. However, there is so much choice that children often become distracted from their play when they spot something else interesting. This does not fully support children to focus on an activity for very long, and to extend their concentration span. n There is a strong focus on promoting children's communication and language skills. The youngest children are encouraged to vocalise. The childminder responds positively to their babbling. As children start to use recognisable words, the childminder repeats these so children hear the correct pronunciation. Children develop a love of books and readings. The childminder uses these effectively to extend children's vocabulary. n The childminder adapts her daily routines depending on the children who are

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need to do better?

attending. However, mealtime arrangements do not fully promote children's learning and development. Children are carefully supervised but they are seated in a way that means they cannot all see each other. Opportunities to engage in conversation with their friends are therefore limited. Also, children's food and drink are brought to them, meaning they are not involved in any aspect of its preparation. n Children's good health is promoted throughout their time with the childminder. Effective hygiene arrangements are in place. The childminder works with parents to ensure that healthy food and drink is provided. She is attentive to any special dietary requirements. n The childminder has developed effective partnerships with parents. Their feedback is highly positive. They value the support she provides around issues such as toilet training and getting ready for school. The childminder also shares important information with parents, such as how to promote good oral hygiene,

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Safeguarding

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.

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Safeguarding

There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children's interests first.

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should:

n consider how to further develop the learning environment so it fully meets the needs of the children attending, supporting them to develop their focus and concentration even more n develop mealtime arrangements to extend opportunities to promote children's communication and language skills, and their independence.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY487661 Local authority Stockton-on-Tees Inspection number 10362253 Type of provision Childminder

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Registers

Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Day care type Childminder

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inspection

Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 18 Date of previous inspection 27 June 2024

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Information about this early years setting

The childminder registered in 2015 and lives in Stockton-on-Tees. She works alongside an assistant. The childminder operates all year round, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5.30pm except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 6. She works alongside an assistant. The childminder offers the government funded places for childcare and receives specific funding for disadvantaged children

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Inspection activities

n The childminder showed the inspector the premises and discussed how they ensure they are safe and suitable. n The childminder and the inspector discussed how the childminder organises their early years provision, including the aims and rationale for their early years foundation stage curriculum. n Children spoke with the inspector during the inspection. n The inspector talked to staff at appropriate times during the inspection and took account of their views. n Parents spoke to the inspector and provided written feedback about the setting. n The childminder provided the inspector with a sample of key documentation on request.

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Inspection activities

7 November 2024 We carried out this inspection under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children's learning, development and care, known as the early years foundation stage.

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Inspection activities

7 November 2024 regulates and inspects to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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Inspection activities

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